Invisible Homeless Women Project by Stephanie Walters

Ideas for my Project

walsj024 — 2018-02-28 00:07:48 UTC

1. Women
2. Marriage
3. Children
4. Families
5. Poverty
6. Homelessness
7. Social suport
8. Government support
9. Safety net
10. Social responsibility
11. Mutual obligation
12. Services
13. Charities
14. Finances
15. Welfare
16. Volunteers
17. Houses
18. Communes
19. AirBNB
20. Landlords
21. Profit
22. Housing availability
23. Regional areas
24. City streets
25. Refuges
26. Domestic violence
27. Drug abuse
28. Alcohol abuse
29. Ice
30. Remote communities
31. Quality of housing
32. Squalor
33. Work availability
34. Educational attainment
35. Hopelessness
36. Social justice
37. Equity
38. Fairness
39. Hard times
40. Poverty trap
41. Food banks
42. Food wastage
43. Consumerism
44. Disposable society
46. Disposable people
47. Responsibility
48. Vulnerability
49. Local communities
50. Churches
51. Agendas
52. Who benefits?
53. Who pays?
54. Is there a benefit to society in having an underclass?
55. Warning to others
56. Conformity
57. "There but for the grace of God go I"
58. It will never happen to me
59. Distant issue
60. How to make people care?
61. Personalise the story
62. If it was you, what would you hope someone would do for you?
63. Characteristics
64. Mental health
65. Addiction
66. Donations
67. Safe places
68. Sponsorship
69. Relationships
70. Continuity
71. Compassion
72. Change
73. Values
74. Feel good
75. Empowerment
76. Root causes
77. Consistency
78. Tailor made
79. Long term plan
80. Investment
81. Lobbying
82. Activism
83. Solutions - affordable housing
84. Causes - multiple pathways
85. Social role of older women/mothers/grandmothers

Weekly Journal

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Week 1
I think this course will introduce me to new digital media applications which I can use to present my ideas in my studies and after I graduate. I am looking forward to using the assignment structure to develop an influential video. I am hoping to develop my video making skills further as so far I have only used Movie Maker and photo-shopping tools to collate content and make short digital stories.

I already have a couple of topics I am passionately interested in researching, so I think my list of 80 possibilities was seeded with the idea that I would like to do something involving one of several evolving social problems I have been reading about in social media, or hearing about in podcasts and news reports. This is leading me towards looking into the question of rising homelessness amongst older women.

The 30 second time limit for the video will be challenging but the more I think about my topic and condense the message, the harder hitting and more persuasive it will be. I think this is a great challenge!

Week2
My readings have shown me how hidden homelessness amongst older women can be, especially from what the researchers call 'conventional housing history' background. This seems to be because they have strategies and tactics to avoid being recognised as homeless, but this also means that they do not seek help from the usual organisations (charities, churches, govt. agencies). They don't feel that these services are tailored to their circumstances. I have identified these women as my target audience.

Ideas about how to develop my treatment are developing rapidly - I keep testing in my own mind how to present my video in a realistic way, present a believable story, so at risk women will identify it with their own situation. Would identify with this message/story? I have scribbled lots of notes on paper as my ideas develop.

Slogans are coming to mind - "she never saw it coming" "it will never happen to me" "think again" .

Week 3

Thinking about my video and how I can deliver my message effectively, continues to refine my message: I want to highlight the hidden nature of women's homelessness. While the issue remains hidden, no change will occur.
Working on my PC rather than the Mac has been much easier as I have no experience with the later. On both devices however, I have found HTML code is easy to edit and the website is coming along.

Week 4

Examining videos on the internet on this subject, a the majority fit into one of two patterns. Either individual stories of people who are currently or historically homeless, and how this impact/ed them. These stories often focus on the cause of homelessness as being 'undeserved' i.e, an accident of fate. Or they are an animation to raise awareness, with a focus on youth homelessness, often focused on abuse. This means my target group is underrepresented, and my perspective needs to offer something previously unseen to cut through. Mind map exercise should help identify new perspectives.

Week 5
I feel like my treatment is becoming more complex and may need to be less ambitious. Props, actors and location shooting are not my problem - it will be whether I can construct a succinct story in 30 seconds. May have to use combination of video and still shots to convey message. Still like the idea of subliminal texts.

My treatment ideas are changing as I look to incorporate visual and typographical choices to create a brand. I am now thinking that my live action video can be very simple and I can introduce elements as 'thoughts' through images which overlay the action. My colour palate ideas are also changing. The colours in the backdrop of my padlet are appealing to my target demographic so I might incorporate these. I have taken photographs in my local area of support services for people in financial difficulty and have started constructing my character through imagining her life before she found herself in her current position.

Week 6
This week I have been able to visualise my video from beginning to end and I have written my treatment to reflect this. I have had the idea of rolling text across the screen as well as textual cues within the action, such as street signage, the content displayed on an i-Pad, counting cash will be used.
I am undecided about having a musical sound track overlaid with ambient street sounds, as this may be too complex technically. My campaign will be titled "You think you know..."

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Summary of Message

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Increasing numbers of older Australian women find themselves vulnerable to homeless, however their predicament is not visible in the community.

Target Audience

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My primary target is the independent, mature woman, with a professional or middle-class background, who is approaching retirement age, and is unaware, or in denial, that she is at risk of homelessness.

My secondary target audience is the broader community, to raise awareness and stimulate debate about how a lack of housing affordability is pervading society, and impacting unexpected demographics.

Workplace Participation Statistics

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‘What do I need to show or say in the promo video that will persuade my audience to take action? What do my target audience already know, think or feel about my message?’

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Raise awareness of the issue and provoke curiosity, disquiet, a sense of personal vulnerability, self-interest, empathy.

Undermine the myth that people somehow 'deserve' to be homeless; because they have, or are doing, something 'wrong'.

Challenge perceptions about what homeless women 'look like' i.e. bag ladies. Reveal the opposite.

Will need to provide evidence that homelessness is affecting more older women and why.

Challenge the viewer to take action i.e. review their personal situation, enquire about friends circumstances, donate to charities who support homeless people, lobby politicians. (Due to time constraints will likely need to target one action.)

Annotated Bibliography

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Bordwell, D, Thompson, K 2001, 'The shot: mise-en-scene', Film art: an introduction, 6th edn, McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 156-192.
This chapter outlines basic cinematic techniques which convey meaning to the audience. Covers techniques of setting, costume/makeup, lighting, movement/acting. Discusses framing the action and balancing the composition, but notes unbalanced shots can create strong effects. Colour palettes, camera angles etc all forms systems of meaning with which the audience is familiar and understands. Finally, 'the spectator must be cued to notice certain things (and not to notice others)' in effective film communication.

As I am planning to create a character narrative to communicate my message, the treatment will need to be strictly designed so that the story arc completes within the 30 sec time frame.

Casey, R, Goudie, R & Reeve, K 2008, 'Homeless women in public spaces: strategies of resistance', Housing Studies, vol. 23, no. 6, pp. 899-916.
This article argues all women experience some sense of exclusion from public spaces based on their gender. This is strongly associated with fear of physical violence and sexual predators, but also social norms which connect women's identities (as wives, mothers, daughters) with roles within the home. While male homelessness is associated with living on the streets or in shelters, women are more likely to lean on friends and family to provide safe temporary accommodation. Women develop strategies, such as being well dressed and clean, to 'blend-in' in secure places like libraries, shopping centres, airports and public toilets, enabling them to carry out private activities (sheltering, eating, washing) in public. They thereby resist stigmatisation as homeless, and maintain independence.

In my video, I will use this idea of being 'hidden in plain sight' to disrupt my viewers perceptions of homelessness as being both a male phenomenon, and of homeless people being 'socially dysfunctional', as these women are moving through public spaces unseen.

Mahlknecht, J 2011, 'The textual paratext - the cinematic motto and its visual representation on the screen', Word & Image, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 77-89.
An exploration of the use of text placement in cinema, as part of directing a message(or motto) to be read by audiences. Describes the extra-diagetic (explicit and outside the story, i.e. scrolling text outlines the message), diagetic (incorporated in narrative, i.e. character reads a newspaper headline featuring the message), and hybrid texts (actual text used at a subliminal level e.g. the character passes a sign in the street, and the audience makes the connection). These can be used to lead audiences to the moral message of the film. Like branding - is it best to put the logo up front, incorporate it in the story, or feature it at the end of the message? This has given me options on how to reinforce my message in the video without appearing to 'preach' to my audience.

Mayock, P, Sheridan, S & Parker, S 2015, '"It's just like we're going around in circles and going back to the same thing …": the dynamics of women's unresolved homelessness', Housing Studies, vol. 30, no. 6, pp. 1-24.
This article makes a strong argument for the Housing First approach to resolving long term homelessness. Housing stability allows social services supporting (re)entry into employment, addressing health concerns, (re)building social or family networks etc. to be more effective.

My message (perhaps on the website, not in the video) should target prevention of homelessness through actively managing risks, and early engagement with social services, as this is more effective than correcting homelessness after it has become entrenched.

Petersen, M 2015, 'Addressing older women's homelessness: service and housing models', Australian Journal Of Social Issues, vol. 50, no. 4, pp. 419-438.
This article argues that the pathways of older women into homelessness are not well understood and require greater research. Traditional programs designed to alleviate homelessness due to drug/alcohol abuse, mental illness etc. are inappropriate responses to a growing cohort of older women experiencing housing distress. Instead it calls for the life experiences of these women, and their individual requirements for support, to be explored. The author notes that older first-time homeless women are more likely to have been renters, live alone, and have encountered a crisis in health, in retaining work, or in being able to meet increasing rental costs. Many have never had to reach out for welfare assistance and don't know where to start. Women with a 'conventional housing history' in 'housing crisis' often require minimal support to remain independent. The author calls for attention to "the discourse of housing - affordable, secure housing - rather than continued discourse of homelessness".

I think this analysis informs the approach I am going to take with my video. My homeless woman will have had a conventional background and not be visibly homeless, but be fearful of slipping into further dependence on others. Women should be encouraged to make an early assessment of personal risk, and engage with support services can help secure existing housing. On the website it would be good to emphasise affordable, secure housing as the desired outcome of policy intervention, not further support services for homeless people.

Videos

Mission Australia 2015, Homlessness - an eye opener, YouTube, 10 June, viewed 10 March 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lCSIkKsRUQU>.

This video is part of an awareness campaign about youth homelessness. It uses sad music to emphasise the difficulty of a (young) homeless woman's plight as she sleeps in a public place (shopping mall). Interviews are conducted with passers-by in a documentary, news article style. They describe how this image does not connect with their stereotypical understanding of the causes and demographics of homelessness. Most were sympathetic and recognised the complexity of the issue.

Black and white film to show the set-up, colour to show the activity. Pink typography showing statistics on black and white background. This reflects the brand of Mission Australia. Fast cuts interspersed with longer passages. Close up on faces to reveal interviewees reaction to homeless girl sleeping is effective (shock, distaste, confusion, concern). We don't see her face - she anonymously represents the youth demographic.

This video has similarities with my project, but I am looking at a different demographic. I will try a different approach i.e. not use the "sleeping rough" analogy. As with the news articles (posted here), I want to dig deeper into the everyday experience of mature women in this situation, emphasising their invisibility to casual observers. The use of typography and statistical data is interesting, and I may use this.

Council of Homeless Persons 2017, Hidden homlessness, YouTube, 18 July, viewed 10 March 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8JZaC_dmbo>.

Really powerful example of how ordinary people can find themselves homeless told by an attractive, articulate, well presented and educated woman. Narrated in the first person and supported by statistical information. Similar pacing to previous video - relatively slow. The narrator reenacts her experience of living in her car surrounded by her belongings. Car is parked under a bridge with pillars covered in graffiti, in what appears to be a run down area. The juxtaposition of her orderly appearance, military background, and chaotic living circumstances is stark.

Soundtrack is again sad, poignant piano score. I want to draw my viewers in by engaging their curiosity, identifying with my actor, and have an impactful reveal at the end of my video, so I need to some unpredictability which I could create with my my soundtrack selection. Ambient sounds from the street may work better, using changes in the soundscape to reflect changes of location.

Shelter SA 2016, Housing, Homelessness and Older People, YouTube, 3 April, viewed 10 March 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmh6vmnQ3iU>.

Presented by a young person as an historical narrative and featuring an older couple as actors. Highlights changes in assumptions about home ownership at various life-stages during (conventional housing background) Baby Boomer lifetimes. Calls out the disconnect between life planning/expectation, and reality many find themselves in. Describes government lack of policies on housing affordability and inadequate pension levels for renters/mortgage holders in later life. Appears to be a university project, so target audience is academic grading research/project outcome.

Actors presented as happy, relaxed, secure and living well (the ideal) so there is contrast between the narrative/statistics given in the presentation. Could be more powerful as the happy couple seen are not experiencing housing stress, however if viewers are, then they will see what they are missing out on. This approach might not generate enough concern amongst those at risk to take action. My video will need look professionally produced, and be more assertive to attract the attention of my target audience.

End Youth Homelessness 2016, End Youth Homelessness, YouTube, 5 October, viewed 21 March 2018, <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhmOVlUs3gs>.

Highly impactful animated representation on the causes and impacts of youth homelessness. Government campaign to address homelessness. A lot of factual and narrative information is conveyed through the use of text integrated into the story, e.g. when the character lands on the word "safe place" at the end of the video. Use of spray paint as medium, analogous to graffiti. A home is then drawn around the character using "safe place" as the basis. The audience then understands that this is the desired outcome of the story and goal for the campaign.
Soundtrack is ominous music with aggressive street sounds (trucks, jackhammers, shouting, crashing) which contribute to menacing feeling. No dialog/voice over.
I am considering using street sounds to emphasise the public nature of homelessness.

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On the verge...

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End of the middle-class American Dream

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Target Audience Rationale

walsj024 — 2018-03-14 10:25:07 UTC

My primary audience are older women at risk of homelessness. I am hoping they will consider their circumstances, and if they are in denial about their security, begin to take preventative actions. This is because research (Peterson 2015) shows that women from 'conventional housing backgrounds' need minimal support to remain in housing if there is early intervention. This means they need to reach out for support before they lose their current home. Frequently they do not know how, or fail to engage with support services until it is too late.

The broader community is also a target audience as these women are grandmothers, mothers, sisters, daughters and friends. They will typically lean on those closest to them in the event of a housing crisis. Housing affordability and security needs to be addressed as a social issue. It is no longer only affecting marginal, or traditionally disadvantaged groups of people.

Precarious living

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Life in a car

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Music and sound

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Financial advice for women

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Legal advice for women

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How will my promotional video be distinctive and grab my audiences attention

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My video will look at homelessness from a different perspective - ie older woman rather than men or youth.
My video will be a ficitonal character narative rather than a 'true story'.
My video will show a woman 'going it alone' dealing with her homelessness, rather than reaching out to support services (this will be shown as an option she is considering).
This video will not promote a homeless service, rather try to encourage viewers who are vulnerable to take action to prevent homelessness - a cautionary tale.

Mindmap

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Tone

walsj024 — 2018-03-27 22:34:59 UTC

I feel my target audience believe that homeless could never happen to them, however job loss, ill health or relationship breakdown can happen suddenly to anyone. I want women in my target audience to identify with the character I create and feel unsettled by what has happened and is happening to her. I want them to reflect on their own circumstances and take responsibility to ensure their future security. So I want to generate emotions leading to empathy, recognition, discomfort and action.

The colours I should use should appeal to a feminine audience - pinks, mauve, purple, gold for richness, and red for contrast to attract attention (see Padlet background). As I will be filming in a naturalistic style, I won't have a lot of control over colour other than in costume, props and post-production softening with hue.

Orange is a colour which causes many people to feel ambivalent, so this may be a good text colour - to create a feeling of discomfort and uncertainty, signal hazard ahead. Mission SA uses hot pink, Hutt Street Centre orange, Shelter SA red.
https://www.fatrabbitcreative.com/blog/psychology-of-the-color-orange-and-what-it-means-for-your-business

The font I will use is Noto Sans. After reviewing on Google Fonts, this appears easy to read and the style is modern. I decided not to use handwriting styles for this reason. There is a nice range of thin and thick letter styles to select from so that I will be able to emphasise some words more than others.

https://fonts.google.com/specimen/Noto+Sans?selection.family=Noto+Sans

Editing Video in PS CC

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Adding text to Video in PS CC

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Long Video Treatment - The Invisible Homeless Women's Project

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Video Title: You think you know....

From the start of this scene, a text message is rolling . It reads "you think you know, what a homeless person looks like.' An attractive middle-aged woman walks towards the Art Gallery. Her clothes are smart, tasteful, and she is immaculately groomed. She appears self-possessed and confident. As she approaches the front entrance of the building, she glances left and sees what appears to be a homeless man sleeping on the grass beneath a tree and her smile falters. Her face is hard to read - is she empathising with the man, or does she find him distasteful? Sounds heard are those of a busy city street.

From the start of this scene, the text message changes to "you think you know, what a homeless person does with their day". The same woman is sitting outside a cafe. She is scrolling through photos of a pleasant holiday on her i-Pad. She looks up and notices a shabbily dressed bag-lady sitting outside the pawn shop across the road. Her gaze lingers on the shop window and signage, then she returns her attention to the i-Pad screen. She bites her bottom lip and frowns. Is she thinking about how the woman manages to support herself? Is she thinking about how desperate a person would be to pawn their belongings? Is she feeling guilty about her own good fortune? Sounds heard are those of a busy suburban stopping strip.

From the start of this scene, the text message changes to "you think you know, where a homeless person spends the night." The woman, wearing silky pyjamas, is sitting up in bed. She is checking the cash she has in her wallet. She takes off her glasses and stares into space. A door slams in the distance and she is startled. As the woman, settles down to sleep it is revealed that her bed is a pull out couch. The room is a cramped spare room full of boxes and piled up clothing. Loud sounds of people arguing and more slamming doors are heard from outside the room as she turns out the light.

It turns out, the woman has been homeless all along, but her situation was invisible as she did not fit the model of a stereo-typical homeless person.

Viewers are called to action, to "think again" and encouraged to visit the website for the Invisible Homeless Women's Project.

OWN Report on homelessness

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Financial position of older single women.

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Baby Boomer disadvantage

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Homelessness Australia Statistics

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Rising numbers

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Statistics on rising women's homelessness

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One paragraph treatment - "You think you know..."

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Told through three vignettes, the story follows an apparently self-sufficient and attractively presented mature woman through her day. She encounters homeless people and contemplates their lives, while reflecting on her own attitudes and situation. Finally, it is shockingly revealed that she is herself homeless, but that she passes through society invisibly. Vision is supported by the sounds of street noises to emphasise the public nature of homelessness. Viewers are prompted to interpret what is occurring in the narrative through explicit texts and sub texts, before calling on them to visit a website for more information on this emerging social issue.

Factors influencing women's lifetime wealth

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